The 74th NBA All-Star Game is set to take place in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. And while the game is still a ways away, it’s never too early to look ahead to what to expect during the showcase.

This year’s All-Star Game will have a new format, with the 24 NBA All-Stars split into three teams of eight to compete in a mini-tournament with the winning team from the NBA’s Rising Stars Game. Different as the format is, the process of selecting All-Stars remains the same.

As in years past, NBA All-Star Game starters will be determined by the fans, a media panel and other NBA players. The fan vote accounts for 50 percent of voting while the media and NBA player vote accounts for the other 50 percent.

With All-Star voting underway, I’m putting my voting cap on in an attempt to forecast the 10 players most likely to receive recognition as starters in this year’s All-Star Game. As a reminder, All-Star lineups consist of two guards and three frontcourt players from each conference.

With that in mind, let’s get into the predictions.

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Western Conference All-Star starters prediction

Look, it’s the same Western Conference starters from last year! Allow me to explain.

I’ll start with LeBron James, who may be the most controversial selection. James has had some struggles this season — particularly on the defensive end of the floor. And while he’ll soon turn 40 and has not necessarily played up to his standard, he’s averaging 22.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. His seven triple-doubles this season are second behind only the next guy.

Nikola Jokic is probably the biggest no-brainer here. After resetting the bar of what to expect from him, he has somehow outdone himself again. Despite Denver’s flaws, Jokic is having a career year as a scorer and sits in the top two in scoring, rebounding and assists per game. He is the best basketball player in the world and an All-Star start should be the first of many accolades in 2025.

MORE: Where Jokic, Giannis, Tatum and more land in latest NBA MVP rankings

To stay in the frontcourt, Kevin Durant has been awesome this year and Phoenix’s near-flawless mark when he’s in the lineup is the proof. Durant may not be a fan of the new All-Star format, but expect him to be among players honored with “starter” recognition.

Last year we saw the changing of the guard with Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander representing the Western Conference backcourt of the future. It was tough to omit the host team’s Stephen Curry — Anthony Edwards is also right there — but Doncic continues to maintain a standard of excellence and Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player on the West’s best team.

MORE: How to vote for NBA All-Stars in 2025

Eastern Conference All-Star starters prediction

If you’re a fan of things shaking up, my Eastern Conference starters are for you.

In the backcourt, it’s a welcome back into the All-Star starting lineup for both Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young. 

Mitchell’s last All-Star start came in 2023. His body of work this year is different, but it has been equally impressive. Mitchell’s nightly efforts helped fuel Cleveland’s historic start to the season and will play a large part in the team’s place atop the East standings. Elite team’s best players deserve the shine.

Young returns to the All-Star starting lineup after starts in 2020 and 2022. The court of public opinion is often torn on Young but his place as one of the game’s best playmakers cannot be denied — his league-leading assists figures serve as proof. It helps that Young’s flashy style is also tailor-made for an All-Star showcase.

MORE: How Trae Young fools NBA’s best defenders and even Hawks teammates

Now, onto the frontcourt. Welcome to the East, Karl-Anthony Towns!

Towns has never started in an All-Star Game and many were even surprised he was selected as a reserve in 2024. Save the surprise in 2025 because Towns has fit in perfectly in a new situation, scoring at will (efficiently, no less!) and dominating the boards at a league-leading level.

So long as he stays healthy, Jayson Tatum will have a spot in the lineup for years to come. He’s the best player on the league’s best team and his efforts are often overlooked because of it. He’s almost quietly averaging 28.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game for the defending champs.

Last but definitely not least is Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s Year 12 and he recently turned 30 but Antetokounmpo is clearly at the peak of his powers as he continues to improve in the margins. He may make MVP discussions interesting and he certainly hears the noise about no longer being the world’s best player.

If nothing else, Giannis is going to make his ninth straight All-Star start.

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